Magnetic ball and chain game



Nov. 12, 1968 B.J. HARRISON MAGNETIC BALL AND CHAIN GAME Filed June 25,1965 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. BILLY JACK HARRISON BY [dazed- FIG. I

United States Patent 3,410,554 MAGNETIC BALL AND CHAIN GAME Billy JackHarrison, Keiser, Ark. (Rte. 2, Batesville, Ark. 72501) Filed June 23,1965, Ser. No. 466,396 6 Claims. (Cl. 2731) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aball and chain game having a length of chain with attachment means atone end thereof for attaching the chain to the ankle of the player andsaid chain being provided with magnetic means at the opposite endthereof to engage a ball portion of the game which has a block ofmagnetically attractable material secured to the ball in the interiorthereof. A modified game has an additional chain portion and attachmentmeans so that the additional chain portion can be attached to a secondplayers leg for the game to be played by two players.

This invention relates generally to amusement contrivances, andparticularly relates to a game played with a ball and chain simulatingsomewhat the ball and chain shackled to and used for restrainingprisoners.

An object of the present invention is to provide a substantially simplegame which does not include intricate structure or require complicatedscore-keeping procedures.

A further object is to provide a game developing skill in muscularcoordination and developing speed, agility and improved equilibrium inthe players.

A further object is to provide a game particularly suitable fordeveloping leg muscles.

A further object is to provide a versatile game which may be played byone or more players.

A further object is to provide a game which may be played and enjoyed byplayers of any age.

A further object is to provide a game which may be played indoors orout-of-doors.

A further object is to provide a game which is simple and no batteries,or liquids will be required.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the presentinvention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment willbe readily understood from the following specification upon reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ball and chain game structure, andillustrating the chain being shackled to a players ankle as in play.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as on the line IIII of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicatedby numerals, the ball and game structure is indicated generally bynumeral 11 and includes a ball part 13 and a chain part 15.

Ball part 13 includes a hollow plastic sphere 17 and a disc-shaped block19. Sphere 17 is preferably integrally formed of polyethylene or someother such plastic and of uniform wall thickness. A circular opening 21is provided in the wall of sphere 17, and block 19 is disposedoppositely and is fixedly secured to the interior surface of sphere 17.Disc-shaped block 19 includes a flat upper surface 23 and a convex lowersurface 25. The contour of convex surface 25 coincides with and isfixedly secured, as by adhesive, to the interior spherical surface ofsphere 17.

Chain part 15 includes a length of chain 27, an adjustable band 29, anda disc-shaped magnet 31. Adjustable band 29 is of the typical type andincludes a band body 3,410,554 Patented Nov. 12, 1968 33 and a buckle35. Holes 37 in band body 33 typically provide adjustment means for theband. A rivet 39, extending through the upwardly disposed end link 41 ofchain 27 and through an aperture in band body 33, securely attaches band29 to chain 27. A cylindrical extension member 43 is fixedly secured onthe lower or downwardly disposed end link 45 of chain 27; Extensionmember 43 and chain 27 preferably are constructed of plastic material,and end link 45 and the extension member preferably are integrallyformed. Disc-shaped magnet 31 is substantially the same size andconfiguration as disc-shaped block 19 and includes an upper surface 47and a lower surface 49. The upper surface 47 of magnet 31 is adhesivelysecured to the lower surface 51 of extension member 43, and the magnetis concentric with the extension member.

In playing the game, a player fastens adjustable band 29 around hisankle. Ball part 13 is disconnected from chain part 15 and is placed onthe floor. The weight of block 19 in the interior of sphere 17 causesthe sphere to roll and become orientated with opening 21 disposedupwardly. The player may sit in a chair or stand and, while in eitherposition, attempts to manipulate chain part 15 into such a position thatmagnet 31 may be lowered into opening 21 to magnetically engage block 19with magnet 31 and thus connect the ball and chain parts 13, 15.

Several chain parts 15 and one ball part 13 may be employed in acompetitive ball and chain game played by two or more players. Theobject in playing a competitive game with one ball and several chains isto see which player can connect the chain part on his ankle with theball part. A competitive game may also be played by having a number ofballs, with the object of the game being to see which player canmagnetically engage the most balls. Additionally, the player, afterengaging a ball, may be required to drop the ball in a receptaclewithout touching the ball with his hands. Further, the enjoyment of thegame may be heightened by providing the outer surfaces of ball parts 13with various colors or indicia representing various numerical values;the object in playing the game being to engage the ball or balls havingthe highest numerical value.

The embodiment of the game structure illustrated in FIG. 3 is indicatedby numeral 52 and is adapted to be played with in a somewhat differentmanner than game structure 11. Game structure 52 is adapted tobe playedby a pair of players and includes a pair of chain portions 53, 53 and apair of adjustable bands 55, 55. Rivets 57, 57' extending respectivelythrough apertures provided in the respective end links of chain portions53, 53' and bands 55, 55, attach the respective chain portions and handstogether. Manually releasable resilient clasp links 59, 59' arerespectively secured on the inwardly disposed ends of chain portions 53,53. Game structure 52 additionally includes a short chain portion 61, aring 63, an extension member 65, and a disc-shaped magnet 67. Extensionmember 65 and magnet 67 are of the same configuration as extensionmember 43 and magnet 31 of game structure 11 and are attached to thelower end link of chain portion 61. Ring 63 is secured by the upper endlink of chain portion 61. Clasp links 59, 59 respectively of pair ofchain portion 53, 53' are releasably attached to ring 63. It will beunderstood that a first length of chain is provided by chain portion 53,ring 63, and chain portion 61, and that a second length of chain isprovided by chain portion 53 which is connected as above-described tosaid first length of chain intermediate the length of said first lengthof chain. A plastic sphere 69, having a disc-shaped block 71, providesthe ball part of game structure 52.

In playing the ball and chain game with the structure of the secondembodiment, a pair of players each fasten one of bands 55, 55' on oneankle. The players, being thus shackled together, attempt by coordinatedleg and body movements to drop magnet 67 into the interior of sphere 69and to magnetically engage and support the sphere on the end of chainportion 61. Substantially the same game as above described relative togame structure 11 may also be played with game structure 52, with theplayers arranged in pairs. Competitive games may be played with four oreight players in much the same manner as described above for the firstembodiment.

The game structure of the present invention develops speed, agility, andbalance in the players; it is a versatile game which may be played inseveral ways and either indoors or out-of-doors. The game may be playedby one or more players of various ages. In summary, the presentinvention provides a fascinating game structure providing many hours ofpleasure for the player or players.

Although the invention has been described in some detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity or understanding, it isto be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes andmodifications may be made therein which are within the full intendedscope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A game structure including ball means and chain means; said ballmeans comprising a thin-walled hollow sphere having an opening in thewall smaller in width than the inside diameter of said sphere, a blockof magnetically attractable material secured to the interior surface ofthe wall of said sphere opposite said opening; said chain meanscomprising a length of chain, magnet means secured on one end of saidlength of chain for engaging said material and of a size smaller thansaid opening, and attachment means secured on the other end of saidlength of chain and including positive securing means for positivelysecuring to the ankle of a player; in playing the game, a player fastenssaid attachment means around his ankle, and, with said ball meansresting on the floor and While balancing on one foot, the playerattempts to drop said magnet means on the end of said length of chaininto said opening of said sphere to magnetically engage said block andsaid magnet means and to magnetically connect said ball means and saidchain means.

2. A game structure including ball means and chain means; said ballmeans comprising a thin-walled hollow plastic sphere having a circularopening in the wall smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of saidsphere, a disc-shaped block of magnetically attractable material securedto the interior surface of the wall of said sphere opposite saidopening; said chain means comprising a length of plastic chain, adisc-shaped magnet means secured on one end link of said length of chainfor engaging said block and having a diameter smaller than said opening,and attachment means secured on the other end link of said length ofchain including positive securing means; in playing the game, a playerfastens said attachrnent means around his ankle, and, with said ballmeans resting on the floor and while balancing on one foot, the playerattempts to drop said magnet means on the end of said length of chaininto said opening of said sphere to magnetically engage said block andsaid magnet means and to magnetically connect said ball means and saidchain means.

3. A game srtucture including ball means and chain means; said ballmeans comprising a thin-walled hollow sphere having an opening in thewall, a disc-shaped block of magnetically attractable material securedto the interior surface of said wall of said sphere opposite saidopening; said chain means comprising a first length of chain, discshapedmagnet means secured on one end of said first length of chain forengaging said material, attachment means secured on the other end ofsaid first length of chain, a second length of chain, means connectingone end of said second length of chain to said first length of chain andintermediate the length of said first length of chain, and a secondattachment means secured to the other end of said second length ofchain; the game being adapted to be played by two players with one ofsaid attachment means secured around an ankle of each player; an objectof the game being for the two players, by co-ordinated movements, tosuspend and manipulate said magnet means on the end of said first lengthof chain through said opening of said sphere thereby to magneticallyengage said block and said magnet means and to magnetically connect saidball means and said chain means.

4. The game structure of claim 3 in which said means connecting saidsecond length of chain to said first length of chain includes a manuallyreleasable clasp for readily disconnecting and connecting said secondlength of chain with said second attachment means and said first lengthof chain.

5. A game structure including ball means and chain means; said ballmeans comprising a thin-walled hollow sphere having a circular openingin the wall thereof, and a disc-shaped block of magnetically attractablematerial secured to the interior surface of said wall of said sphereopposite said opening; said chain means comprising two adjustable bands,first chain means interconnecting said adjustable bands, second chainmeans attached at one end thereof to said first chain means intermediatethe ends of said first chain means and depending therefrom, and adisc-shaped magnet means secured on the other end of said second chainmeans for engaging said material; the game structure being adapted to beplayed by two players with one of said adjustable bands secured aroundan ankle of each player; an object of the game being for the twoplayers, by co-ordinated movements of their legs, to suspend andmanipulate said magnet means on the end of said first chain'meansthrough said opening in said sphere thereby to magnetically engage saidblock and said magnet means and to magnetically connect said ball meansand said chain means.

6. The game structure of claim 5 which additionally includes manuallyreleasable clasp means for readily connecting and disconnecting saidsecond chain means and said first chain means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 464,391 12/1891 Samuels 273-468,274 2/1892 Goodson 273-1 1,782,254 11/1930 Breidenbach 273-12,218,825 10/1940 Guilloy 273-1 2,496,691 2/1950 Berry 46-241 3,140,7127/1964 Hunter 46-241 3,140,871 7/1964 Lignori 272-74 FOREIGN PATENTS336,361 10/1930 Great Britain.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner,

S. NATTER, Assistant Examiner.

